US News

Not content with making racist rulings two days in a row, SCOTUS took the opportunity before its summer recess to attack the LGBTQIA2S+ community. The court ruled in favor of a bigoted evangelical, granting her the legal right to refuse to design a wedding website for same-sex couples.

The case was based on a fictitious scenario. Colorado web designer Lorie Smith claimed “Stewart” (no last name given) contacted her in 2016 about constructing a website for his upcoming marriage to “Mike.” However, when a reporter for The New Republic contacted Stewart, using the contact information provided to the court, Stewart knew nothing of the case. He does not identify as gay and, as a professional web designer, would have no reason to hire Smith.

Nevertheless the Supreme Court ruled that Colorado’s anti-discrimination law could not prevent Smith from exercising her so-called “free speech right” to practice discrimination if the opportunity did present itself. This ruling has potentially ominous consequences, as it implies that the First Amendment could now be used to legitimize any form of discrimination.

With all of the shitty customers that service workers have to put up with, it’s almost shocking to see somebody draw the line at same‐sex couples.